6 books that will make it all better (…or worse)

Originally published on: all women’s talk

And later on Blogger

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” — Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Not that I think that people who have little or no interest in books are “stupid”, I merely believe books can make life better…

Or worse. =)

If it’s a really good book.

1. The summer I turned pretty by Jenny Han

Never mind that it’s winter outside, this book is a must-read for anyone who calls themselves a young adult, teenager or a sucker for a good romance.

I’m the former.

If only society would allow me to call myself and be a kid for the rest of my life, I would gladly relinquish all my non-existent grown-up-ness and read YA fiction for the rest of my life.

But unfortunately, the only way to go back and pretend I’m 16 again is to read books like this one.

“Every year Isabel spends a perfect summer at her family friends’ house. There’s the swimming pool at night, the private stretch of beach — and two boys. Conrad — unavailable, aloof — who she’s been in love with forever. Jeremiah — friendly, relaxed — the only one who’s ever really paid her any attention. But this year something is different. They seem to have noticed her for the first time. It’s going to be an amazing summer…and one she’ll never forget.”

This book definitely has what every girl wants.

Read and see for yourself.

2. How hard can love be? By Holly Bourne

Since I’ve been introduced to her books, I’ve been under a spell and over the moon to be able to have her 468 pages of wisdom, feminist ideas, friendship, romance, honesty and adventurous spirit in my hands.

She is real, she is honest, she is one of the best voice of YA out there.

“All Amber (the protagonist) wants is a little bit of love. Her mom has never been the caring type, even before she moved to America. But Amber’s hoping that spending the summer with her can chance all that. And then there’s Prom King Kyle, the serial heartbreaker. Can Amber be really falling for him? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie’s advice, there’s no escaping the fact: Love is hard.”

The second book of the original trilogy “How hard can love be?” sends us from Great Britain to US summer camp. It is thrilling, it is enticingly well-put and NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNGER READERS. (beware lol))

3. Me before you by Jojo Moyes

Funny, beautifully written, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching. This is one of those books that you want to read, but don’t want to read. Back in 2013 when I first bought it and read, I could barely breathe. When I saw it in the bookstore, I didn’t really know what it was about, but I instantly felt a magical pull towards it. This book might exhaust you and ruin your life. But it is worth all those tears and all those tissues, because this author has the majestic way to make readers feel so much.

I was psyched when I heard they were gonna make a movie out of it with the most amazing cast. And I went to the cinema with my bf and I cried my eyes out, drooled all over his shirt and cried some more.

“Funny, surprising and heartbreaking, populated with characters who are affecting and amusing… This is a thought-provoking, thoroughly entertaining novel that captures the complexity of love” — People

4. How to be Parisian wherever you are by Sophie Mas, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, Anna Berest

“Parisian women spend an inordinate amount of energy trying to spin every episode of their existence into a very good story.” — Introduction says

And I say, I’m definitely a true Parisienne then. =)

There is this sexy allure in Paris that makes me wanna be there: sit in a fancy cafe, eat chocolate croissant, go to my favorite bookstore “Shakespeare and Co”, go on a shopping spree.

Who wouldn’t want to be Parisian?

Maybe for people who’ve lived there since birth Paris is an ordinary city, but when we think of love, when we think of vanity, luxury, fashion, what city is in front of our eyes?

Yes.

P-A-R-I-S

“From four stunning and accomplished French women — at last — a fresh and spirited take on what it really means to be a Parisienne: how they dress, entertain, have fun and attempt to behave themselves.

In short, frisky sections, these Parisian women give you their very original views on style, beauty, culture, attitude and men. The authors — Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas — unmarried but attached, with children — have been friends for years. Talented bohemian iconoclasts with careers in the worlds of music, film, fashion and publishing, they are untypically frank and outspoken as they debunk the myths about what it means to be a French woman today. Letting you in on their secrets and flaws, they also make fun of their complicated, often contradictory feelings and behavior. They admit to being snobs, a bit self-centered, unpredictable but not unreliable. Bossy and opinionated, they are also tender and romantic.

You will be taken on a first date, to a party, to some favorite haunts in Paris, to the countryside, and to one of their dinners at home with recipes even you could do — but to be out with them is to be in for some mischief and surprises. They will tell you how to be mysterious and sensual, look natural, make your boyfriend jealous, and how they feel about children, weddings and going to the gym. And they will share their address book in Paris for where to go: At the End of the Night, for A Birthday, for a Smart Date, A Hangover, for Vintage Finds and much more.

How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are will make you laugh as you slip into their shoes to become bold and free and tap into your inner cool.“

Who knows, maybe after reading it, you’ll get an unexpected Paris job opportunity and will get to test your Parisienne skills?

5. To all the boys I’ve loved before by Jenny Han

Another Jenny Han novel and another romance escapade.

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. “

Enjoy!

6. Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

Soap opera for teenagers, though catching and feels real.

A story about a girl and a boy. Once upon a time there was a blogger aka Girl Online aka Penny. And there is obviously a boy. But he pops up later. Certainly, there is a gay friend character. Aka Elliot. Next door neighbor who is rejected by his father after coming out to his family.

Penny is a blogger who suffers from panic attacks, struggles with boys, spots, mean girls, agonizes over the use of emoticons. After going through a very humiliating situation she joins her parents on a trip to NYC. That’s where the infamous boy aka “Rock-God-tastic” aka Noah pops up. And he has a secret. Don’t all of us? That’s what makes it all interesting. There’s always a backstory.

Who is a humorist softener, peachy chap with a very amusing vocabulary willing to strike out another one of his descriptive attributes?

(Read and find out)

The Telegraph review says “the book is sugary as a frosted cupcake”

Can’t agree more. If I were to put it shortly, I’d say winningly grasped mawkish amour scoop. (Does it make sense? It totally did in my head. Haha)

“Even though I still don’t really know very much about Noah, on some deeper level it feels like I’ve known him forever. Is this what it means when people talk about meeting their soulmate?”

Savor this one!